Cervical osteomyelitis and an epidural abscess: an unusual form of cat-scratch disease in one case

Abstract

Abstract Background The association of cervical osteomyelitis with epidural abscess is extremely rare; atypical symptomatology is what makes diagnosing and management challenging. This case is the sixth case reported in the literature. The objective of our study is to describe the clinical manifestation and treatment approach. Case presentation A 71-year-old male with no medical history, who was admitted to the emergency room for C7-T1 spinal cord compression caused by Bartonella henselae, marked improvement after decompression by evacuating the empyema and antibiotic course. Conclusion Cat-scratch disease or subacute regional lymphadenitis is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae; children and adolescents are mostly infected. Systemic complications are rare; the prevalence of bone damage is estimated at 0.1 to 0.3%. Our case allows a literature review of and put in focus on our diagnostic and therapeutic attitude.